Flourless Chocolate Cake
Flourless Chocolate Cake is rated
out of
5 by
5.
Prep Time:
30 minutes
Cook Time:
25 minutes
Servings:
8
Don't be fooled by the small size of this cake. It may measure only 1 1/2 inches high, but every bite is packed with intense chocolate flavor. Its texture is similar to a dense soufflé with a soft, smooth center, but it's easier to make. A spoonful of snowy white whipped cream looks particularly appealing against the deep brown cake.
Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter and flour for preparing the pan
- 8 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 8
equal pieces - 4 cold eggs, separated
- 1 tsp. instant coffee dissolved in 2 tsp. water
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1⁄4 tsp. cream of tartar
- 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
Directions:
Preheat the oven and prepare the pan
Position a rack in the middle of an oven and preheat to 375°F. Butter an 8-inch springform pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper cut to fit. Butter the paper, sprinkle it lightly with flour, then tap out the excess flour.
Make the chocolate cake base
In a large heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate and butter and melt over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Set aside to cool slightly, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks, dissolved coffee and vanilla extract and whisk just until blended. Pour the yolk mixture over the cooled chocolate and whisk until no streaks of egg are visible.
Whip the egg whites and fold them into the cake base
In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large, clean mixing bowl, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar. Fit a stand mixer or handheld mixer with the whip attachment. Beat on medium speed until foamy and the cream of tartar dissolves, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and continue beating until the whites form soft peaks, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the granulated sugar in 2 batches, beating for 15 seconds after each addition. Then beat for 1 minute more; the whites should be shiny and stiff. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold about one-third of the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Spoon the remaining whites on top and fold in until no white streaks remain.
Bake and cool the cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until the cake puffs up, the top looks firm and the middle jiggles only very slightly when the pan is gently shaken, 19 to 23 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. The cake will sink slightly in the middle. Run a thin knife along the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cake, then release the sides and lift them off. Let the cake cool completely, about 1 hour more.
Serve the cake
Use a thin knife to loosen the cake from the pan bottom. Then, using 2 wide metal spatulas, slide the cake onto a serving plate. Have ready a tall glass filled with hot water and a large, sharp knife. Cut the cake into 8 wedges, dipping the knife in the water and wiping it clean before each cut. Use a wide metal spatula to transfer the wedges to individual plates. Makes one 8-inch cake; serves 8.
Pastry Chef's Tip: Lightly sweetened whipped cream is the perfect foil for slices of dense chocolate cake such as this. Use the whip attachment of a mixer to beat together 1 cup cold heavy cream, 2 Tbs. confectioners' sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Mastering Series, Cakes, Fillings & Frostings, by Elinor Klivans (Simon & Schuster, 2005).
Position a rack in the middle of an oven and preheat to 375°F. Butter an 8-inch springform pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper cut to fit. Butter the paper, sprinkle it lightly with flour, then tap out the excess flour.
Make the chocolate cake base
In a large heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate and butter and melt over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Set aside to cool slightly, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks, dissolved coffee and vanilla extract and whisk just until blended. Pour the yolk mixture over the cooled chocolate and whisk until no streaks of egg are visible.
Whip the egg whites and fold them into the cake base
In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large, clean mixing bowl, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar. Fit a stand mixer or handheld mixer with the whip attachment. Beat on medium speed until foamy and the cream of tartar dissolves, about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium-high and continue beating until the whites form soft peaks, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the granulated sugar in 2 batches, beating for 15 seconds after each addition. Then beat for 1 minute more; the whites should be shiny and stiff. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold about one-third of the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Spoon the remaining whites on top and fold in until no white streaks remain.
Bake and cool the cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until the cake puffs up, the top looks firm and the middle jiggles only very slightly when the pan is gently shaken, 19 to 23 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. The cake will sink slightly in the middle. Run a thin knife along the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cake, then release the sides and lift them off. Let the cake cool completely, about 1 hour more.
Serve the cake
Use a thin knife to loosen the cake from the pan bottom. Then, using 2 wide metal spatulas, slide the cake onto a serving plate. Have ready a tall glass filled with hot water and a large, sharp knife. Cut the cake into 8 wedges, dipping the knife in the water and wiping it clean before each cut. Use a wide metal spatula to transfer the wedges to individual plates. Makes one 8-inch cake; serves 8.
Pastry Chef's Tip: Lightly sweetened whipped cream is the perfect foil for slices of dense chocolate cake such as this. Use the whip attachment of a mixer to beat together 1 cup cold heavy cream, 2 Tbs. confectioners' sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Mastering Series, Cakes, Fillings & Frostings, by Elinor Klivans (Simon & Schuster, 2005).
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Rated 5 out of
5
by
PalmSpringsBaker from
Perfection!
Ok I waas ske[tical at first, but OMG this is delicious. Not at all what I expected. puffed up to about 4 inches high and as it cooled reduced to an inch and a half. The most delcious flourless chocolate cake I have ever had. Easy to follow directions. I'll never pay $45 dollars at the bkery again. Decadent rich chocolate and not at all too sweet. Enjoy!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Date published: 2018-09-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
SamanthaY from
Outstanding & SO French!
I added an extra egg as the French are very generous in their recipes and oh, what a difference with lightness and taste.
Date published: 2015-02-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Mumsie01 from
delious! dust with same cocoa
delicious! as with all chocolate cakes, i never dust with flour, always with the same cocoa in the recipe. I learned this from my dear Mother-in-law over 50 years ago! i also use espresso powder for the instant coffee from Williams Sonoma.
Date published: 2014-05-29
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Adrianne from
Great for Passover!
I've made this cake for Passover the last several years, and it's always a huge hit! It's pretty dense and rich, so a small piece is perfect, especially with some fresh strawberries.
I always adjust slightly though, as the first step for the "flourless" chocolate cake is to dust the inside of the pan with flour. Cooking spray or butter work just fine, and they keep the recipe flourless!
Date published: 2014-04-14
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Gr8Taste from
Holiday Dinner - added bonus Gluten Free
I made this for one of our Christmas dinner desserts and served it with sweetened whipped cream. It was rich and delicious. Two of our guests required gluten free - they loved it.
Date published: 2012-12-31